Single force for airline security suggested

An umbrella body of all airlines in the country suggested creation of a single force to manage airline security across the country. CEO's and top officials of major airlines, including Air India, Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines, made this suggestion at a 45-minute meeting with Home Minister Shivraj Patil at the North Block, Delhi. The officials met Patil as part of a delegation of newly-formed Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA). They wanted the government to provide expeditious security clearance to foreign pilots who are being increasingly deployed by Indian carriers to overcome the shortage of pilots, especially commanders, in the country. "We urged the government to consider the creation of a single security force to take care of security of all airlines in the country, instead of each one having their own.

The cost of such a force will be shared by all airlines," Kingfisher Chief Vijay Mallya said, adding this would lead to "effective use of security". Asked whether recent threats to airports also came up for discussion, he said "there was no undue concern expressed about airport security" and the topic was not discussed. Regarding foreign pilots, Mallya and other officials said the problem was that due to the delay in getting clearances, these pilots were taking up jobs in other countries instead of coming to work in India. So "we demand smooth clearance for foreign pilots", Mallya and Air India CMD V Thulasidass, who heads the FIA, said. The Home Minister told the delegation that the government could consider the matter if all airlines agreed to the proposal.

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